Sorry for taking so long to write this chapter, and I'm sorry to say the next one may not be out much quicker. Having some family problems, but I will finish this at all costs! Glad to see that you liked the last chapter, and that most of you are warming up to Hanshin, well enough of that.
Calm, peaceful, soothing. Morning slowly spread over the plush green hills that encased the Misaki home and shrine. The leaves and grass sparkled as the light played off the dew, sometimes creating mini prisms that gave the forest new colors.
Han sat on top of the Misaki cave. The orange ball of fire had just risen over the Sunday horizon and he knew now why Japan was called the land of the rising sun. Exhaling he squeezed the woman sitting in front of him to his chest and buried his face in the back of her hair.
She didn't respond, just leaned back against him and placed one hand over his that were intertwined around her waist, while pulling the quilt tighter that was wrapped around the two of them. After seeing his memories, no, their memories, it seemed like her life was complete. Like a giant piece of her had returned, problem was, she hadn't even realized it was gone.
Last night they just, held each other. Both of them were content and perfectly happy with just that. If you had told her she would just be happy snuggling a month ago, you would have been crazy. But now, it just seemed so... fulfilling.
She could feel his heart beat on her back, after a while she couldn't tell when her own was beating, they seemed to take up the same speed. There was still Tenchi. She loved him, she admitted that much to herself, but to what degree?
Throughout her years in the cave he had been there, he was the one, the only one that ever reached out to her. She watched him play, imagining she could play along side him. She watched him grow, from the small child to an amazingly handsome young man. And she watched him cry, placing a transparent hand on his back as he wept for his grandmother, and then Achika. Is Tenchi a true love? Once again, if you had asked her a month ago, yes. But now, things were complicated.
Back then, Tenchi had been the only one to ever care about her, and she clung to it. Her knight in Jurian armor, he rescued her from the cave, Kagato, and even Dr. Clay. Then cared for her afterwards. But now, she knew he wasn't the only one.
"Ryoko?"
Ryoko nearly melted as Han's calm voice seemed to vibrate through her body. When she didn't respond, he let his fingers slightly tickle her stomach.
"Stop." She giggled; it was hard to remember that he already knew everything about her.
He smiled and did as he was told, placing a small kiss on her neck. "What are you thinking about?"
She leaned back against his chest causing him to scoot back against the rock's wall for support. "Just wondering if we could stay up here forever."
"I wish we could."
"You can feel her cant you? She asked, holding his hand and letting her fingers trace the lines on his palm.
"Yes, she is almost here." He said solemnly before looking down from the clouds to her. "You know your mother is going to be mad that you threw away our little communicators."
"I just wanted some time alone, is that too much to ask?" She cocked up an eyebrow and looked back over her shoulder.
"No," He smiled. "...defiantly not."
His smile, how could she have forgotten it? Back then, it was something she looked forward to seeing every day. Ryoko closed her eyes remembering the way she felt in his memories. She just wished this Tokimi business would be over already. Then she could properly rekindle where they left off. "I can't wait to see the rest of what happened back then."
Han thought back to the experience in Washu's lab. Just after he regained his senses she fell out of her seat like a rag-doll. He was terrified; her eyes had rolled back into her head, he thought he had lost her, again. "Why don't we forget about that, let's just focus on what's going on right now."
She smiled, one fang hanging on the corner of her lip, turning around still inside the blanket to sit across his legs. He could tell that that this would be a battle hard won. She was after all, Ryoko. And if she wanted to see everything that happened, come hell or high water, she would.
"Well talk about that later, okay?"
His arms found new purchase around her, as her hand reached up to his face, sliding across his cheek. Gently they both leaned forward, instinctively cocking their heads to the side, and let their mouths meet.
As the slow, long kiss subsided, they just sat there looking in each other's eyes for the longest time. A cool, soothing wind rolled up the side of the Misaki cave, sweeping across their exposed faces. One might look at them like any couple engrossed with each other, in fact, that's just what they were.
~~~:*:~~~
"SHE'S HERE!!!" Washu yelled bursting through the doorway of her lab into the living room where the entire household, save for two, had just been transported.
"WASHU!" Kiyone growled trying to hide her naked body behind Lord Katsuhito. Tenchi suddenly found something interesting on the ceiling, while Nobuyuki found something interesting behind his father-in-law. "You could have given me enough time to get out of the shower you know!"
"Kiyone please. Must we go over such trivial matters now? We have a crisis on our hands." Washu grinned. "And for God's sake put some clothes on!"
"Now lets don't be so rash you two." Katsuhito looked over his shoulder at Kiyone with a wry smile. "This is quite entertaining."
"Washu!!!" She growled again turning a deep red and nearly sinking to the floor.
Washu exhaled, and opened her holo-computer. "The things I put up with." She muttered telaporting a new GP uniform from her sub-space closet onto Kiyone.
"Where's Ryoko and Hanshin?" Tenchi asked looking around dumfounded, happy to change the subject. "I haven't seen them since last night."
"Trust me they'll be here." Washu dismissed any doubts with a casual wave of her hand and moved right along with her little briefing. "Tenchi, Ayeka. We will be able to see everything that's going on so if you need anything just yell. I will be up in Ryo-ohki in case I need to sweep down and pick anyone up. Kiyone and Mihoshi will have the rest of the family in Yukinojo."
"As soon as the fighting starts I will be able to call the Alpha fleet in for emergency assistance." Kiyone explained adjusting her collar. "I doubt they will be able to anything except evacuate people."
"How quick can they be here?" Ayeka asked, already in her battle garb, with Azaka and Kamidake floating at attention next to her.
"Fifteen minutes." Kiyone sighed.
"So we will have to hold her off until then." Tenchi smiled letting her know that fifteen minutes was better than he expected. "Thank you Kiyone."
Washu picked up Ryo-ohki and walked to the sliding door. "I put a small signal emitter with your DNA output out in the lake Tenchi so I am guessing that is where she will arise."
"Thank you Miss Washu."
She turned and gave Tenchi a very stern look. "Say it!"
"I... mean little Washu." Tenchi instinctively put a hand behind his head.
"That's better." She smiled and left.
"At least she isn't loosing her cool." Ayeka sweat-dropped.
~~~:*:~~~
"You ready?" Ryoko asked pulling the black glove of her battle suit over her hand. She intertwined her fingers ensuring the gloves made a perfect fit and looked at the man beside her. "Hey, you awake?" She asked gently elbowing him in the ribs.
"Yes?" He asked regaining his presence in the real world and turning to look back at her. "Yoko?"
"Himm?"
"I want you to promise me something."
"What?" Ryoko was worried by the over serious tone in his voice.
"That you will get out here alive."
She cocked up an eyebrow. "Well I don't plan on dying if that's what you mean."
"It is, but if Tenchi or I are killed I don't want you doing something..." Han seemed to pause carefully choosing the correct word. "...rash."
Ryoko narrowed her eyes at him.
"Don't look at me like that." He pleaded looking to the ground, but her hand raised his face back up.
"I don't plan on going psycho, but you had better not plan on getting killed either." She gave him a quick peck on the lips before floating away into the air.
Han watched her as she giggled doing a soft back flip in the air. She was so graceful, something like a forest nymph floating in the trees.
"Well look who decided to show up." She announced with her hand shading her eyes.
"Who?" He asked still watching her float in the air.
"Tenchi and little Miss Prissy Pants!" Ryoko hollered.
"I heard that monster woman!" Came a yell through the woods a moment before Tenchi, Ayeka and the two guardians came into the clearing.
"Well I see you two are dressed for the occasion." Ryoko floated down to the ground and seemed to glance back and forth between Tenchi and Hanshin for a moment. "Tenchi, come here a minute would ya?"
"Umm, okay Ryoko."
Ryoko and Tenchi walked off to the corner where the grass that bordered the lake met the forest, leaving Ayeka and Hanshin to themselves. Ryoko sat on a fallen tree and looked into the woods. When Tenchi didn't say anything she patted the log next to her.
"What is it." He finally asked after taking a seat next to her.
"I'm in love with Hanshin."
"Oh." What else could he say?
"Washu was able to let me see his memories." Ryoko nervously twisted her fingers. She was really doing it, she was actually telling him. "I, I just wanted you to know."
"That's good Ryoko." Her head shot up, and Tenchi could have kicked himself for saying it like that. "I mean I hate it, I'm just glad you seem happy." He stammered waving his hands in front of him.
"Tenchi, I still love you. It's just..." She looked back down at the grass at her feet. "I can't believe I'm saying this."
"Go on."
"Han has just been there for me. Even before you were born. He cared for me the way you do and more. I just want to feel like that again. I'm sorry."
"Ryoko, I should be the one who is sorry. I'm just glad that you found him. The truth is, I just want you to be happy Ryoko." Tenchi put his hand on hers and chuckled.
"What?"
"I was just talking to Grandpa last night about you two." He looked down at the log where his hand covered hers. "And now that I don't need to decide, I realize I should have done so when I had the chance."
"What are you saying? I thought you and Ayeka were pretty much..." Ryoko puckered her lips and acted like she was squeezing some imaginary objects into one.
Tenchi laughed. "No, not like that. Its kinda hard to explain, I guess we just got closer when all this started."
"So you are trying to tell me that that kiss was nothing?"
"Wha... what kiss?" Tenchi's eyes shot open and glassed over like a deer caught in a pair of headlights.
"Don't play stupid Misaki." She poked a finger to his chest. "I don't mind if you two kissed, but it had better been worth something."
Tenchi sighed, defeated. "Yes it was worth something..."
"Good." Ryoko cut him off, preventing him from continuing. "Because I just want you to be happy too."
~~~
"Ayeka?" Hanshin's voice broke the silence that surrounded the two.
"Yes?" The princess turned from looking at where Tenchi and Ryoko were talking. Hanshin stood beside her looking out over the lake.
"You recall the other night, when you offered me anything at Jurai's disposal?"
"Yes, I am sorry Han." Ayeka held her hands together in front of her and looked down "Father and I had a falling out so I do not believe there is much I can do."
"You don't need to do much, just make sure she gets out alive." Han turned his head and looked at Ryoko.
"Ryoko?" Ayeka asked following his gaze.
"Yes, I want you to promise me that no matter what happens you will get her to safety by any means."
"Very well." Ayeka symbolically bowed her head a little.
Hanshin looked down into her eyes when she looked up to make sure she understood he was completely serious. "I don't care if you have to knock her out, or drag her away kicking and screaming, I just want her out of here if things start to go wrong."
"Yes, I understand." Ayeka was happy for Ryoko. This man, the one who had supposedly hurt her all those years, did actually love her. She already missed their fights over Tenchi, but she knew they would always find something to yell about.
"Hey!" Ryoko yelled startling Ayeka. "You better keep you distance, that one is mine." She said as she floated through the air and wrapped her arms around Han's neck, twirling around him before setting down on her feet. She shot Ayeka one last perturbed glance before looking up at him. "So, did ya miss me?"
"Of course princess." He leaned down and pecked her on the lips before she grabbed the back of his head.
"Come on now, don't be shy." She said coyly before closing the gap between them...
The ground erupted; the very earth beneath their feet seemed to come alive. Birds took flight out of the woods as waves began to form in the lake. Ryoko kept her hands entwined tightly around Han's neck for support.
"Tokimi." He growled, surprising Ryoko with the fierceness that consumed his one word explanation.
Lightning struck the ground from pitch-black clouds that were no where to be seen a few moments ago. Ayeka and Tenchi both leaned onto Azaka and Kamidake for support as one bolt struck a tree nearby, sending burning embers showering like rain across the four, the wind continuing to howl like a warning from Hell itself.
The clouds over the lake cleared, seeming to part to let a large bolt of lightning strike the surface of the water, resulting in an explosion of steam.
Then it was quiet
No noise, no wind, the only thing remaining of the past few moments ciaos were the black clouds in the sky.
Han closed his eyes, desperately trying to see past the silence. He could feel Ryoko's heartbeat against his chest. Still hear the water cooling from the lightning strike, and footsteps? On water?
The others heard it too, and they all looked to the cloud of steam in the lake, and the figure that walked towards them.
Other than the soft, gentle, steps of her feet on the water, it remained silent as she cleared the steam. She continued to walk towards them, not even pausing when Ryoko and Han ignited their energy swords, and Tenchi the Master Key.
She stopped just before the water met the shore, and silently looked in depth at them, one by one. Surprisingly she did not spend any more time examining Tenchi as she did Ryoko or Ayeka, but then she stopped at Hanshin.
She smiled kindly, closing her eyes and re-opining them. "Are you ready Kagato?" The human sized Goddess asked, with an elegance that would of put Ayeka to shame.
"What is she talking about?" Tenchi inquired looking at Hanshin.
"That dumb bitch still thinks you're under her control." Ryoko added bracing her feet apart and holding her sword ready before her.
"She must be losing her mind, she has to realize that she cant do that anymore." Han growled again, just her presence was causing him to seethe with anger.
"Do not worry Kagato, all will be made clear soon." She said, still maintaining the royal air surrounding her.
Hanshin Growled. "Do not call me that name!"
Tokimi didn't respond. In one elegant motion she raised her hand and held it out to the warrior. Her eyes narrowed as she concentrated. Han was ready to rip her face off when the sharp pain in his head returned.
"Ahh..." He fell to one knee as the feeling drove its way through his head like a needle.
"Hanshin?" Tenchi asked, stepping to his side but keeping a careful watch on the Goddess.
He didn't reply. His energy sword dissipated as he dug his fingers into the earth, it felt like someone was trying crush his skull. "AAARRRGGG!!!!" He yelled spastically convulsing on the ground, holding his head.
"HAN!" Ryoko called, as she ran to his side. *Tokimi must be trying to kill him?*
"NO, GET AWAY!" He yelled through the pain pushing Ryoko away as energy cracked around him.
Ryoko stumbled back.
"What's happening to him!" Ayeka yelled.
~*Mom! What's happening to him, I thought you said Tokimi couldn't control him anymore?*~ Ryoko franticly called through her link, hoping for once that her mother had been eavesdropping.
~*She cant! Its like she is transferring energy to his brain, I don't understand this!*~ Washu instantly shot back.
He slammed his fist down causing the earth under their feet to shake, and the water under Tokimi's to ripple. Han stopped struggling, and just sat motionless on his knees. All was quiet, the three standing warriors took turns looking between their fallen comrade and the Goddess.
"Are you all right Kagato?" Tokimi asked.
Hanshin's figure rose to his feet and turned to face Tokimi. "Never better." A cold, gravely voice escaped his lips. When he turned around, his burning yellow eyes narrowed in a look of pure evil.
Ryoko was gripping her energy sword so hard it began to singe her suit. "I don't know how you took control of him again but I am not going to let Han die!" She threatened.
"You are misinformed Ryoko." Tokimi looked at Kagato who flipped his black hair over his shoulder, turning it a stark white as a small upcurving graced the corners of his lips.
"What are you talking about!"
"Silly Ryoko..." Kagato's eyes narrowed as a small pair of glasses appeared on his face. "There never was a Hanshin."
... Easy there! (ducks a flaming torch flung at my head) I didn't just add this in, its been planned from the start. Flame me if you wish, but just stick with me to the end, deal? Good.
Please review and tell me what you think, two more to go.
Calm, peaceful, soothing. Morning slowly spread over the plush green hills that encased the Misaki home and shrine. The leaves and grass sparkled as the light played off the dew, sometimes creating mini prisms that gave the forest new colors.
Han sat on top of the Misaki cave. The orange ball of fire had just risen over the Sunday horizon and he knew now why Japan was called the land of the rising sun. Exhaling he squeezed the woman sitting in front of him to his chest and buried his face in the back of her hair.
She didn't respond, just leaned back against him and placed one hand over his that were intertwined around her waist, while pulling the quilt tighter that was wrapped around the two of them. After seeing his memories, no, their memories, it seemed like her life was complete. Like a giant piece of her had returned, problem was, she hadn't even realized it was gone.
Last night they just, held each other. Both of them were content and perfectly happy with just that. If you had told her she would just be happy snuggling a month ago, you would have been crazy. But now, it just seemed so... fulfilling.
She could feel his heart beat on her back, after a while she couldn't tell when her own was beating, they seemed to take up the same speed. There was still Tenchi. She loved him, she admitted that much to herself, but to what degree?
Throughout her years in the cave he had been there, he was the one, the only one that ever reached out to her. She watched him play, imagining she could play along side him. She watched him grow, from the small child to an amazingly handsome young man. And she watched him cry, placing a transparent hand on his back as he wept for his grandmother, and then Achika. Is Tenchi a true love? Once again, if you had asked her a month ago, yes. But now, things were complicated.
Back then, Tenchi had been the only one to ever care about her, and she clung to it. Her knight in Jurian armor, he rescued her from the cave, Kagato, and even Dr. Clay. Then cared for her afterwards. But now, she knew he wasn't the only one.
"Ryoko?"
Ryoko nearly melted as Han's calm voice seemed to vibrate through her body. When she didn't respond, he let his fingers slightly tickle her stomach.
"Stop." She giggled; it was hard to remember that he already knew everything about her.
He smiled and did as he was told, placing a small kiss on her neck. "What are you thinking about?"
She leaned back against his chest causing him to scoot back against the rock's wall for support. "Just wondering if we could stay up here forever."
"I wish we could."
"You can feel her cant you? She asked, holding his hand and letting her fingers trace the lines on his palm.
"Yes, she is almost here." He said solemnly before looking down from the clouds to her. "You know your mother is going to be mad that you threw away our little communicators."
"I just wanted some time alone, is that too much to ask?" She cocked up an eyebrow and looked back over her shoulder.
"No," He smiled. "...defiantly not."
His smile, how could she have forgotten it? Back then, it was something she looked forward to seeing every day. Ryoko closed her eyes remembering the way she felt in his memories. She just wished this Tokimi business would be over already. Then she could properly rekindle where they left off. "I can't wait to see the rest of what happened back then."
Han thought back to the experience in Washu's lab. Just after he regained his senses she fell out of her seat like a rag-doll. He was terrified; her eyes had rolled back into her head, he thought he had lost her, again. "Why don't we forget about that, let's just focus on what's going on right now."
She smiled, one fang hanging on the corner of her lip, turning around still inside the blanket to sit across his legs. He could tell that that this would be a battle hard won. She was after all, Ryoko. And if she wanted to see everything that happened, come hell or high water, she would.
"Well talk about that later, okay?"
His arms found new purchase around her, as her hand reached up to his face, sliding across his cheek. Gently they both leaned forward, instinctively cocking their heads to the side, and let their mouths meet.
As the slow, long kiss subsided, they just sat there looking in each other's eyes for the longest time. A cool, soothing wind rolled up the side of the Misaki cave, sweeping across their exposed faces. One might look at them like any couple engrossed with each other, in fact, that's just what they were.
~~~:*:~~~
"SHE'S HERE!!!" Washu yelled bursting through the doorway of her lab into the living room where the entire household, save for two, had just been transported.
"WASHU!" Kiyone growled trying to hide her naked body behind Lord Katsuhito. Tenchi suddenly found something interesting on the ceiling, while Nobuyuki found something interesting behind his father-in-law. "You could have given me enough time to get out of the shower you know!"
"Kiyone please. Must we go over such trivial matters now? We have a crisis on our hands." Washu grinned. "And for God's sake put some clothes on!"
"Now lets don't be so rash you two." Katsuhito looked over his shoulder at Kiyone with a wry smile. "This is quite entertaining."
"Washu!!!" She growled again turning a deep red and nearly sinking to the floor.
Washu exhaled, and opened her holo-computer. "The things I put up with." She muttered telaporting a new GP uniform from her sub-space closet onto Kiyone.
"Where's Ryoko and Hanshin?" Tenchi asked looking around dumfounded, happy to change the subject. "I haven't seen them since last night."
"Trust me they'll be here." Washu dismissed any doubts with a casual wave of her hand and moved right along with her little briefing. "Tenchi, Ayeka. We will be able to see everything that's going on so if you need anything just yell. I will be up in Ryo-ohki in case I need to sweep down and pick anyone up. Kiyone and Mihoshi will have the rest of the family in Yukinojo."
"As soon as the fighting starts I will be able to call the Alpha fleet in for emergency assistance." Kiyone explained adjusting her collar. "I doubt they will be able to anything except evacuate people."
"How quick can they be here?" Ayeka asked, already in her battle garb, with Azaka and Kamidake floating at attention next to her.
"Fifteen minutes." Kiyone sighed.
"So we will have to hold her off until then." Tenchi smiled letting her know that fifteen minutes was better than he expected. "Thank you Kiyone."
Washu picked up Ryo-ohki and walked to the sliding door. "I put a small signal emitter with your DNA output out in the lake Tenchi so I am guessing that is where she will arise."
"Thank you Miss Washu."
She turned and gave Tenchi a very stern look. "Say it!"
"I... mean little Washu." Tenchi instinctively put a hand behind his head.
"That's better." She smiled and left.
"At least she isn't loosing her cool." Ayeka sweat-dropped.
~~~:*:~~~
"You ready?" Ryoko asked pulling the black glove of her battle suit over her hand. She intertwined her fingers ensuring the gloves made a perfect fit and looked at the man beside her. "Hey, you awake?" She asked gently elbowing him in the ribs.
"Yes?" He asked regaining his presence in the real world and turning to look back at her. "Yoko?"
"Himm?"
"I want you to promise me something."
"What?" Ryoko was worried by the over serious tone in his voice.
"That you will get out here alive."
She cocked up an eyebrow. "Well I don't plan on dying if that's what you mean."
"It is, but if Tenchi or I are killed I don't want you doing something..." Han seemed to pause carefully choosing the correct word. "...rash."
Ryoko narrowed her eyes at him.
"Don't look at me like that." He pleaded looking to the ground, but her hand raised his face back up.
"I don't plan on going psycho, but you had better not plan on getting killed either." She gave him a quick peck on the lips before floating away into the air.
Han watched her as she giggled doing a soft back flip in the air. She was so graceful, something like a forest nymph floating in the trees.
"Well look who decided to show up." She announced with her hand shading her eyes.
"Who?" He asked still watching her float in the air.
"Tenchi and little Miss Prissy Pants!" Ryoko hollered.
"I heard that monster woman!" Came a yell through the woods a moment before Tenchi, Ayeka and the two guardians came into the clearing.
"Well I see you two are dressed for the occasion." Ryoko floated down to the ground and seemed to glance back and forth between Tenchi and Hanshin for a moment. "Tenchi, come here a minute would ya?"
"Umm, okay Ryoko."
Ryoko and Tenchi walked off to the corner where the grass that bordered the lake met the forest, leaving Ayeka and Hanshin to themselves. Ryoko sat on a fallen tree and looked into the woods. When Tenchi didn't say anything she patted the log next to her.
"What is it." He finally asked after taking a seat next to her.
"I'm in love with Hanshin."
"Oh." What else could he say?
"Washu was able to let me see his memories." Ryoko nervously twisted her fingers. She was really doing it, she was actually telling him. "I, I just wanted you to know."
"That's good Ryoko." Her head shot up, and Tenchi could have kicked himself for saying it like that. "I mean I hate it, I'm just glad you seem happy." He stammered waving his hands in front of him.
"Tenchi, I still love you. It's just..." She looked back down at the grass at her feet. "I can't believe I'm saying this."
"Go on."
"Han has just been there for me. Even before you were born. He cared for me the way you do and more. I just want to feel like that again. I'm sorry."
"Ryoko, I should be the one who is sorry. I'm just glad that you found him. The truth is, I just want you to be happy Ryoko." Tenchi put his hand on hers and chuckled.
"What?"
"I was just talking to Grandpa last night about you two." He looked down at the log where his hand covered hers. "And now that I don't need to decide, I realize I should have done so when I had the chance."
"What are you saying? I thought you and Ayeka were pretty much..." Ryoko puckered her lips and acted like she was squeezing some imaginary objects into one.
Tenchi laughed. "No, not like that. Its kinda hard to explain, I guess we just got closer when all this started."
"So you are trying to tell me that that kiss was nothing?"
"Wha... what kiss?" Tenchi's eyes shot open and glassed over like a deer caught in a pair of headlights.
"Don't play stupid Misaki." She poked a finger to his chest. "I don't mind if you two kissed, but it had better been worth something."
Tenchi sighed, defeated. "Yes it was worth something..."
"Good." Ryoko cut him off, preventing him from continuing. "Because I just want you to be happy too."
~~~
"Ayeka?" Hanshin's voice broke the silence that surrounded the two.
"Yes?" The princess turned from looking at where Tenchi and Ryoko were talking. Hanshin stood beside her looking out over the lake.
"You recall the other night, when you offered me anything at Jurai's disposal?"
"Yes, I am sorry Han." Ayeka held her hands together in front of her and looked down "Father and I had a falling out so I do not believe there is much I can do."
"You don't need to do much, just make sure she gets out alive." Han turned his head and looked at Ryoko.
"Ryoko?" Ayeka asked following his gaze.
"Yes, I want you to promise me that no matter what happens you will get her to safety by any means."
"Very well." Ayeka symbolically bowed her head a little.
Hanshin looked down into her eyes when she looked up to make sure she understood he was completely serious. "I don't care if you have to knock her out, or drag her away kicking and screaming, I just want her out of here if things start to go wrong."
"Yes, I understand." Ayeka was happy for Ryoko. This man, the one who had supposedly hurt her all those years, did actually love her. She already missed their fights over Tenchi, but she knew they would always find something to yell about.
"Hey!" Ryoko yelled startling Ayeka. "You better keep you distance, that one is mine." She said as she floated through the air and wrapped her arms around Han's neck, twirling around him before setting down on her feet. She shot Ayeka one last perturbed glance before looking up at him. "So, did ya miss me?"
"Of course princess." He leaned down and pecked her on the lips before she grabbed the back of his head.
"Come on now, don't be shy." She said coyly before closing the gap between them...
The ground erupted; the very earth beneath their feet seemed to come alive. Birds took flight out of the woods as waves began to form in the lake. Ryoko kept her hands entwined tightly around Han's neck for support.
"Tokimi." He growled, surprising Ryoko with the fierceness that consumed his one word explanation.
Lightning struck the ground from pitch-black clouds that were no where to be seen a few moments ago. Ayeka and Tenchi both leaned onto Azaka and Kamidake for support as one bolt struck a tree nearby, sending burning embers showering like rain across the four, the wind continuing to howl like a warning from Hell itself.
The clouds over the lake cleared, seeming to part to let a large bolt of lightning strike the surface of the water, resulting in an explosion of steam.
Then it was quiet
No noise, no wind, the only thing remaining of the past few moments ciaos were the black clouds in the sky.
Han closed his eyes, desperately trying to see past the silence. He could feel Ryoko's heartbeat against his chest. Still hear the water cooling from the lightning strike, and footsteps? On water?
The others heard it too, and they all looked to the cloud of steam in the lake, and the figure that walked towards them.
Other than the soft, gentle, steps of her feet on the water, it remained silent as she cleared the steam. She continued to walk towards them, not even pausing when Ryoko and Han ignited their energy swords, and Tenchi the Master Key.
She stopped just before the water met the shore, and silently looked in depth at them, one by one. Surprisingly she did not spend any more time examining Tenchi as she did Ryoko or Ayeka, but then she stopped at Hanshin.
She smiled kindly, closing her eyes and re-opining them. "Are you ready Kagato?" The human sized Goddess asked, with an elegance that would of put Ayeka to shame.
"What is she talking about?" Tenchi inquired looking at Hanshin.
"That dumb bitch still thinks you're under her control." Ryoko added bracing her feet apart and holding her sword ready before her.
"She must be losing her mind, she has to realize that she cant do that anymore." Han growled again, just her presence was causing him to seethe with anger.
"Do not worry Kagato, all will be made clear soon." She said, still maintaining the royal air surrounding her.
Hanshin Growled. "Do not call me that name!"
Tokimi didn't respond. In one elegant motion she raised her hand and held it out to the warrior. Her eyes narrowed as she concentrated. Han was ready to rip her face off when the sharp pain in his head returned.
"Ahh..." He fell to one knee as the feeling drove its way through his head like a needle.
"Hanshin?" Tenchi asked, stepping to his side but keeping a careful watch on the Goddess.
He didn't reply. His energy sword dissipated as he dug his fingers into the earth, it felt like someone was trying crush his skull. "AAARRRGGG!!!!" He yelled spastically convulsing on the ground, holding his head.
"HAN!" Ryoko called, as she ran to his side. *Tokimi must be trying to kill him?*
"NO, GET AWAY!" He yelled through the pain pushing Ryoko away as energy cracked around him.
Ryoko stumbled back.
"What's happening to him!" Ayeka yelled.
~*Mom! What's happening to him, I thought you said Tokimi couldn't control him anymore?*~ Ryoko franticly called through her link, hoping for once that her mother had been eavesdropping.
~*She cant! Its like she is transferring energy to his brain, I don't understand this!*~ Washu instantly shot back.
He slammed his fist down causing the earth under their feet to shake, and the water under Tokimi's to ripple. Han stopped struggling, and just sat motionless on his knees. All was quiet, the three standing warriors took turns looking between their fallen comrade and the Goddess.
"Are you all right Kagato?" Tokimi asked.
Hanshin's figure rose to his feet and turned to face Tokimi. "Never better." A cold, gravely voice escaped his lips. When he turned around, his burning yellow eyes narrowed in a look of pure evil.
Ryoko was gripping her energy sword so hard it began to singe her suit. "I don't know how you took control of him again but I am not going to let Han die!" She threatened.
"You are misinformed Ryoko." Tokimi looked at Kagato who flipped his black hair over his shoulder, turning it a stark white as a small upcurving graced the corners of his lips.
"What are you talking about!"
"Silly Ryoko..." Kagato's eyes narrowed as a small pair of glasses appeared on his face. "There never was a Hanshin."
... Easy there! (ducks a flaming torch flung at my head) I didn't just add this in, its been planned from the start. Flame me if you wish, but just stick with me to the end, deal? Good.
Please review and tell me what you think, two more to go.